A/N: A very special thanks to my muse, nairiefaire for the Aussie-speak check. --Rita
Chapter 9—Just a Quiet Dinner Among Friends
Everyone at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, with the possible exception of George, was surprised how quickly Ron picked up the joke shop business. He was a natural. George knew exactly what he was doing when he asked him to become a manager. Ron's instincts would prove to be very profitable for the entire operation.
In only three days he picked up marketing concepts, accounts, and was beginning to re-design the distribution procedure into an efficient seamless operation. Who knew?
He saw his mother everyday and spoke with Ginny, engaging her in ordinary day to day conversation. By Tuesday evening, Ginny was joking with, almost, but not quite, like they used to. His mum liked the apartment but still preferred that he live at the Burrow.
And of course he met Lavender for lunch every day at noon. He enjoyed their meals together. They talked about everything except their relationship. Lavender didn't want to hope that he saw a future together. He hadn't tried to make love to her again, but he did flirt with her, enjoying making her blush or laugh, depending on the circumstance. It was too soon to know where their new relationship was heading.
Thursday was looming ever closer. Lavender was getting extremely nervous about the encounter, but if Ron was anxious, he never indicated it. He was perfectly at ease and the only indication of nerves, which really didn't count, was when he asked Harry if Hermione knew he was coming. Harry assured him that she knew and he told him she was looking forward to seeing him again. Ron raised an eyebrow at that, but chose to believe that Hermione was completely fine with seeing him again.
Seeing Lavender, however, may be another story. Hermione had been jealous of Lavender when they were in Hogwarts and she and Ron were "dating", although one couldn't really call it dating; it was more like DNA swapping. Hermione blamed her attitude totally on Ron because he was extremely possessive when she showed any interest in a boy, but it was perfectly fine for Ron to make out constantly with Lavender.
Thursday morning, a panicked Lavender rushed over to Ron's office and pushed her way in around Ron's very efficient assistant. He was discussing his proposal for reengineering the distribution process with the distribution chief, when she came in. Ron looked up and smiled.
"I'm so sorry to disturb you," Lavender began. Ron motioned her to sit and politely asked the chief if she would excuse them for a moment. She left without a word, nodding at Lavender has she left.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked, concerned at Lavender's expression.
"About tonight," she said.
"You're not baling on me, are you?" he asked, still smiling at her.
"No!" she said quickly. "I'd never do that. It's just Uncle Hiram has an appointment with a healer at St. Mungo's and I am going to be late. I promise I'll be there, but I have to take Uncle to the appointment." She looked worried. Ron thought she was going to burst into tears.
"Honey, it's all right." He said soothingly. "Don't get upset." He walked around his desk and hugged her.
"You're not mad?" she asked. "I'll hurry and be there just as soon as I can. You know I wouldn't miss this for the world."
"No," he kissed her lightly. "I'm not mad. You are coming, right?"
Lavender took a deep breath and nodded.
"Okay then." He kissed her again and whispered in her ear, "As long as I can have you for dessert." He kissed her ear.
Lavender closed her eyes as he nuzzled her ear and neck. She blinked when he pulled himself away from her. "So I'll meet you at the restaurant as soon as I can."
"You do know where, right?" Ron asked.
"Madame Cheri's Place, right?" she said.
Ron nodded. "That's the one. Are we still on for lunch?"
"Absolutely." She said, smiling.
"Good. Why don't we go to your place for lunch?" he asked seductively.
"I don't have any—Oh!" she said comprehending his meaning. "That would be lovely."
Lunch was very stress relieving for both Ron and Lavender. So much so that both were late coming back and Lavender's cheeks were flushed all afternoon. Uncle Hiram said she looked like she'd been drinking. Well, kind of, she told him; she felt intoxicated.
The afternoon shag helped Ron relax, too. He'd never let Lavender know how disappointed he was that she was going to be late for the dinner. He was looking forward to having her on his arm. She was a beautiful woman and he didn't mind showing her off.
A last minute emergency at the shop had Ron running late and when he arrived at the restaurant they were waiting on him.
Ginny gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek after he apologized for keeping them waiting.
"No big deal," Harry said. "We just got here ourselves." He looked around. "I thought you were bringing a date."
"I am," he said. "She's running late, too. Sorry about that."
Ron noticed the smirk on Hermione's face, but didn't say anything.
"Should we wait on her?" Ginny asked.
Ron shook his head, "No, it's all right. She said she might be quite late."
"Uh huh," Hermione said, rolling her eyes at Jack.
"What does that mean?" Ron asked.
Hermione smirked again and shook her head. "Nothing, nothing at all. I'm sure your date will be here any minute now."
Oh, great, thought Ron. This is a wonderful start. Hermione doesn't believe I brought anyone. Just great.
Ginny and Harry looked at Ron sympathetically. Harry knew that Ron was bringing Lavender but apparently hadn't told Hermione. Ginny quickly changed the subject.
"George tells me you're doing a fantastic job at the 3W's. He says you're a natural."
"I like the job. It's a real challenge, George has some grand plans for expansion, I'm excited to be a part of it." Ron said.
"Did he give you the position 'cos he felt sorry for you, Ronnie?" Jack asked.
Ron looked at him for a moment, and then smiled. "Probably," he said.
"But he's doing a real good job," Ginny defended.
"Wish I had a brother like that," Jack continued. "No matter how I fart-arse around, he'd come through for me." Jack shook his head.
Ron's face was beginning to redden, and he could feel the anger rise in him. He clenched his fists in his lap and counted to ten in his head. He wasn't going to respond. Jack looked like he was just asking for a fight.
"Jack!" Hermione said in a scandalized tone. She slapped him playfully on his shoulder, but she was grinning when she said it.
"Hermione!" Ginny yelled. "Jack was totally out of line."
"Well, Ginny, we both know it was a mercy job. Ron's hardly qualified to run a large company. He just gave him the job for his mum so Ron wouldn't take off again. Something he's famous for." Hermione's voice was loud and shrill.
Ginny was about to round on Hermione once again, but Ron stood up.
"Excuse me, I need to use the loo," he said and starting walking toward the restroom.
He was standing at a sink washing his hands, when Jack walked in. Ron started to leave when Jack grabbed his arm.
"Listen, drongo, if you don't shove off, there's going to be a barney." He said menacingly.
Ron flung his hand off his arm. "I have no idea what you just said. Can't you speak English?"
"I said, you narking twit, if you don't leave Hermione alone I'm going to beat the shit out of you. That plain enough for you?" He poked him hard in the chest.
"And I suggest, mate, that you back the fuck off. I haven't gone anywhere near Hermione and if my presence bothers her, I figure she's the one who should tell me, not her little lap dog." His voice had risen in volume to match Jack's. Several men poked their heads out of the stalls to watch. Most recognized Jack and Ron and couldn't decide if they wanted to stay and watch the fight or turn and run. Harry pushed his way into the restroom and the observers gasped. There was Harry Potter! They definitely were going to stay for the fight.
"Ron!" said Harry. "There you are. Lavender's here. We should all go sit down, yes?"
Jack gave Ron an odd look. He returned the look. Ron followed Harry out of the restroom and back to their table with Jack closely behind.
And there she was and she looked breathlessly beautiful. Ron could tell she was nervous, but she smile warmly when she saw him. He walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek.
"I'm sorry I'm so late," she said.
"You're not very late at all," he said. He whispered in her ear, "You look beautiful." She blushed
Ron turned to introduce her. "Do you know everyone?" he asked.
She nodded and smiled. Ginny gave her a big smile.
"Boy, it's been a long time," Ginny commented. "It's good to see you again. You look really good."
Lavender blushed. "Thank you." Ron held the chair for her and she sat down.
"Hi Lavender," Hermione said cheerfully. "We thought Ron was lying about having a date tonight." She laughed airily. "Or he'd paid someone. He didn't hire you did he?"
Everyone at the table sucked in their collective breaths. "Excuse me?" Lavender said.
"I was only kidding, Lavender. I know you and Ron are old friends." She patted her arm patronizingly.
Lavender looked to Ron for some indication how she should respond, but Ron just shook his head and shrugged. He ordered them both a drink. He focused his attention on Harry, Ginny, and Lavender. It was nice catching up. Harry tried to engage Hermione and Jack and after a while and a lot of alcohol, she relaxed.
Jack seemed to talk an awful lot about himself, which was probably expected. He was a major celebrity; ironically he hadn't heard of Harry Potter before he came to Britain. He was used to the attention he got as a celebrity. He was cocky and very self assured; but he seemed to genuinely care for Hermione's welfare. He was exceptionally possessive.
For that reason, Ron was willing to let his tirade go. Jack had probably heard a hundred 'bad Ron' stories and he was being protective.
Lavender started to show something to Ron on the menu that she was thinking about ordering. She'd had a couple of drinks and was feeling giddy. She was making funny jokes about the dinner combinations. He leaned into her in an intimate way, touching shoulders. She leaned into him and he kissed the top of head. He looked away after laughing at something she'd said when his eyes met Hermione's. For an instant she had a hurt look on her face, but she recovered quickly, and then she turned her attention to Jack. She kept touching him intimately, ignoring Ron and Lavender.
Harry was probably regretting the whole 'let's get the whole gang together and go out to dinner' scenario, but he missed his best friend and was thrilled that he was back. If he'd thought the whole thing through, he'd have probably postponed the get together or at least chosen a more private setting. Ginny had tried to talk him out of it, but he'd been best friends with Ron and Hermione for so many years and the three of them had been through so much together. He figured if he could get them talking about their adventures; hell, he had no idea what would happen when he got them together.
"So, Hermione, what're you going to do with Jack on the road for two weeks?" Ginny asked after the party had finished their main courses and started on dessert.
"Well, I'm planning t finally get some studying done. I've been so distracted with Jack here," she giggled. "I have finals in a week; and I haven't even opened a book."
"That's hard to believe," Ron said automatically. "I remember when you used to set up Harry's and my study schedule. I can't see Hermione Granger so distracted that you can't study." The statement was innocent enough, but Hermione looked offended. "What are you studying?" he asked.
"Magical law. I'm going to be practicing law." She said
"That's fascinating. I always thought you'd become an Auror, like Harry." Ron said.
"And I thought you'd stay around longer," she snapped.
"Touché," Ron said raising his glass in a salute. He took a drink, then put it back down on the table. "You know what, I have to go." He stood up and hugged his sister, shook Harry's hand, and reached out for Jack's hand to shake. He started to pull it back, but Jack relented and shook his hand. He looked at Hermione and smiled at her.
"I'm glad you invited me, Harry. We'll have to do this again." He said with a wry smile.
"Good seeing you again, Jack. Good luck on the road. Good bye, Hermione. Lavender?" He extended his hand for her. She took it and stood up.
She graciously said good bye to everyone took Ron's arm and he escorted her out of the restaurant.
As they stood on the sidewalk, waiting for a group of happy party goers to pass, Lavender kissed Ron. "Well," she said ironically. "That was fun."
"Sorry about that, Lavender. It couldn't have been any fun for you. I'm sorry. Let me make it up to you."
Lavender wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled up next to him. "I was with you," she said. "That was enough for me."
"You missed the excitement; I thought Jack was going to pounce on me in the loo."
"Oh God," Lavender said. "What happened?"
Ron shook his head. "He warned me to stay away from Hermione."
Lavender sighed loudly. "Are you?"
He looked at her. "Am I what?" he asked.
"Are you going to stay away from Hermione?" she said.
Ron didn't answer right away. Lavender reached out for him but pulled her hand back.
"I see." She said in a small voice.
"It's not what you think, Lavender." He said. He wanted to explain what he was feeling, but he couldn't put it into words.
She closed her eyes for a moment and whispered, "I have to get back. Uncle Hiram will be waiting up for me. I'll see you tomorrow." She kissed him. "Goodnight. Thanks for inviting me. I had a wonderful time."
Before he could say anything, she ran across the rain-soakedstreet and headed quickly down an alley, disappearing into the night.
